Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Hunter Stratton throws to a Atlanta Braves batter in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Atlanta.
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Hunter Stratton throws to a Atlanta Braves batter in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Atlanta.
Perhaps, Hunter Stratton will get a chance to pitch close to home.Â
Stratton, a graduate of Sullivan East, was dealt by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday to the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Titus Dumitru and cash considerations.Â
While there are no guarantees it will happen, Stratton, who was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, can have thoughts of finding his way to Bristol Motor Speedway to play for the Atlanta Braves in the Speedway Classic against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2, just a short distance from his high school in Bluff City.Â
Stratton, a right-handed pitcher, was drafted by the Pirates in the 16th round in the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft from Walters State Community College.Â
Stratton reached the major leagues with the Pirates in 2023. He has posted a 2-1 record in 47 games over three seasons, with a 4.30 ERA, 44 strikeouts and 12 walks in 52.1 innings on the mound.
The 28-year-old Stratton, who had only appeared in three games with the Pirates this season, worked in 21 games with Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 3.65 ERA.
He began his professional career with the Bristol Pirates in 2017.Â
